Three more kids die of Japanese Encephalitis in Odisha, toll rises to 27

Japanese Encephalitis claimed lives of three more children in Odisha’s Malkangiri district taking the death toll in the vector-borne disease to 27.

While two children died at the district headquarters hospital last night while undergoing treatment, another died this morning.

While several children affected by the disease are undergoing treatment, condition of five to six of them are stated to be critical, sources said.

Meanwhile, Health Minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak and department secretary Arti Ahuja reached Malkangiri today. They would visit the affected villages to take stock of the situation. They are also scheduled to hold discussions with the district administrative officials.

“An expert team was sent to the affected villages on Sunday. The team would stay there for ten days and chalk out plans for treatment and preventive measures. Besides, a special team of veterinary doctors will be sent to the affected villages to identity pigs infected with Japanese Encephalitis virus,” Nayak said.